Internal membrane mechanism and method for unloading material from containers



Nov. 7, 1967 H. N. K. F'ATON 3,351,235

INTERNAL MEMBRANE. MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR UNLOADING MATERIAL FROM CONTAINERS 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 30, 1964 IN VENTOR. NEIL KING PATOIY ATTORNEY 7 Nov. 1, 1967- H. N. K. PATQN 3,351,235

INTERNAL MEMBRANE MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR UNLOADING MATERIAL FROM CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 30, 1964 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 NVENTOR.

ATTORNEY 3,351,235 DING Nov. 7, 1967 H. N. K. PATON INTERNAL MEMBRANE MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR UNLOA MATERIAL FROM CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 30, l964 l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. HAMILTON NEIL KING B470 3,351,235 DING H. N. K. PATON EMBRANE MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR UNLOA Nov. 7, 1967 INTERNAL M MATERIAL FROM CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 30, 1964 v 12 Sheets-Sheet 4.

INVENTOR. HAM/[TON IVE/L K/NG 3470 ATTORNEY Q NR 3,351,235 DING 1957 .H'. N. K. PATON INTERNAL MEMBRANE MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR UNLOA MATERIAL FROM CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 30, 1964 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 s INVENTOR. /Z HAM/1T0 IVE/l K/NG Aro/v A TTOP/YE Y Nov. 7, 1967 3,351,235 DING H. N. K. PATON EMBRANEI MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR UNLOA CONTAINERS INTERNAL M MATERIAL FROM 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 30, 1964 INVENTOR. HAM/[TON IVE/L K/NG PATON A T roR/vfy Nov. 7, 1967 H. N. K. PATON 3,351

INTERNAL MEMBRANE MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR UNLOADING MATERIAL FROM CONTAINERS l2 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Oct. 30, 1964 INVENTOR. v l/A/Y/ZTO/Y lYE/L KING P/ITON A TTORNEV Nov. 7, 1967 H N K. PATON 3,351,235

INTERNAL MEMBRANE MEHANIsM AND METHOD FOR 'UNLOADING MATERIAL FROM CONTAINERS Filed 001,. 50, 1964 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR. HAM/Z TON IVE/l KING BATON ATmR/YEX Nov. 7, 1967 H. N. K. PATON 3 INTERNAL MEMBRANE MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR UNLOADING MATERIAL FROM CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 30, 1964 l2 Sheets-Sheet 9 I /7Z 42f Z/75 14 TTORNEY 1967 H N. K. PATON 3,351,235

INTERNAL MEMBRANE MEEJHANISM AND METHOD FOR UNLOADING MATERIAL FROM CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 30, 1964 12 Sheets-Sheet 1o INVENTOR. HAMILTON lYE/L KING PATON ATTORNEY 3,351,235 DING MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR UNLOA MATERIAL FROM CONTAINERS l2 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Oct. 30, 1964 INVENTORI. HAMILTON NEIL KING PATON m u I a 1 n ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1967 Filed Oct. 30, 1964 N K. PATON 3,351,235

H. INTERNAL MEMBRANE MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR UNLO ADING MATERIAL FROM CONTAINERS l2 Sheets-Shet 1 2 INVENTOR. HAN/L70 lYE/L KIIYG P/U'OIY ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 3,351,235 INTERNAL MEMBRANE MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR UNLOADING MATERIAL FROM CONTAINERS Hamilton Neil King Paton, 4603 118th SE., Bellevue. Wash. 98004 Filed Oct. 30, 1964, Ser. No. 408,467 39 Claims. (Cl. 222-1) This application is a continuation-in-part of my previous application Ser. No. 307,447, filed Sept. 9, 1963,.

for Container With Internal Membrane. v

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for unloading material from containers, and particularly material composed of particles which may be very small, such as in cement or flour, or comparatively large such as in grain or pellets. Such apparatus can also be used for unloading a sludge or slurry which would not drain completely from a container without assistance.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a thin partition membrane in the upper portion of the container between the wall of the container and the material stored in the container, which will serve as an insulating and vapor barrier to deter formation of condensation on the inner wall of a container exposed to the material stored in it, particularly if such wall is of metal, and to protect the material stored in the container from being moistened by such condensation running down or dropping from the container wall. Such membrane also decreases convection and heat conduction between the container wall and discrete particle material within the container. This deters freezing of the contained material when the exterior of the contained is exposed to low temperatures, and deters spoilage of organic between the container wall and discrete particle material being subjected to undesirably high temperatures when the exterior of the container is exposed to high temperature conditions. Such membrane also can be arranged to provide dead air insulating space between it and the container Wall to reduce further heat conduction between material in the container and the wall of the container.

A further object is to provide a membrane in a container which can be manipulated to assist in discharging material from the container by pressure of the membrane on such material. Preferably pressure of the membrane on the material is effected by providing a differential fluid pressure on opposite sides of the membrane, the pressure being higher in the space between the membrane and the wall of the container. Such pressure differential can be effected either by reducing the pressure in the-materialreceiving space within the container below atmospheric pressure or by increasing the pressure between the membrane and the container wall to a pressure above atmospheric pressure, or both. An important object in effecting such differential pressure between opposite sides of the membrane by reducing below atmospheric pressure the pressure at the material-receiving side of the membrane is that the pressure between the membrane and the container wall can be at atmospheric pressure so as not to exert differential pressure on the outer container wall which could crush it.

Another object is to provide the membrane installation in a container having walls capable of withstanding internal pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure 50 as to enable the pressure between the container wall and the membrane to be increased above atmospheric for insulation, compaction, breaking or discharge of material in the container. Such a container may, for example, be cylindrical with the axis of the container being horizontal or vertical. It will usually be desirable to design the membrane to fit the particular shape of the container,

and preferably it will be of a shape complemental to the internal shape of the container wall.

It is also an object to provide a membrane which can be held in wall-lining relationship in the upper portion of a container by differential pressure during loading to permit utilization of the entire internal volume of a container.

It is a particular object to provide an effective continuous seal securing the edge of the membrane to the interior of the outer container wall in a manner to withstand a substantial differential in fluid pressure on 0pposite sides of the membrane without leakage and without danger of the membrane being detached from the container wall, even though it is subjected to a considerable tension force, and to effect such a seal easily and quickly without penetrating the membrane and without the occurrence of stress-concentration areas.

Another object is to provide a plurality of membranes of cup shape in a rigid container which are of reversible character so that they can turn inside out. In one position such membranes can engage a rigid wall of the container for support. The edge portion of such a membrane can be attached around the container wall in an upright plane.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a membrane which can be manipulated effectively to expedite initial discharge from a container of discrete particle material, which can be used advantageously tocomplete substantially the operation of discharging material from a container and which can generally facilitate the operation of discharging discrete particle material from a container. Such manipulation of the membrane can be accomplished most effectively by producing a differential fluid pressure on opposite sides of the membrane andpreferably such fluid is air.

The membrane installation of the present invention can be utilized effectively either in stationary or mobile containers and it is an object to utilize for the membrane a material which is impermeable, substantially inelastic and tough, while being highly flexible, wear resistant and economical. At the same time the membrane material should be inert so as not to contaminate material in the container which is edible or which is subject to deterioration or adulteration.

It is an additional object to provide suitable apertures in the container and/or membrane for supply or discharge of fluid or discrete particle material, and to enable such'apertures to be sealed easily in fluid-tight condition. In this connection it is an object to prevent a material discharge aperture in the container from being obstructed by the membrane when the opposite sides of the membrane are subjected to differential pressure.

A further particular object is to provide suitable means in the container or on the membrane, or both, to effect a seal between the membrane and the container wall so as to enable the entire volume of the container to be filled with material to be stored which cannot have access to the space between the membrane and the container wall.

It is also an object to exert positive" pressure against discrete particle material in a container for the purpose of packing the particles together to increase the bulk density of the material. Similar pressure can also be exerted on agglomerated materials, such as prilled urea, to break them up dynamically for enabling them to be discharged more readily.

A further object is to provide an efficient method for eliminating insect infestation, preferably by use of an inert gas, rather than a toxic gas. By compaction of the material being stored in a container, providing in such material an inert gas and/or surrounding the stored 3 material with an envelope of inert gas the hazard of explosion can be virtually eliminated.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide. equipment, which will be effective for storing and handling discrete particle materials, whether such material is composed of very fine particles or is composed of coarse particles, or pieces, and to provide discharging mechanism which can readily be adapted to discharge effectively material composed of fine particles or material composed of coarse particles.

The foregoing objects can be accomplished by membrane installations in containers of various types and shapes having either rigid or flexible walls. Protection of the material in a container from being dampened by condensation, and compaction of. such material, can be accomplished by providing a membrane which occupies at least a major part of the upper portion of the container. If material is to be removed. by suction from a container which is not designed to withstand an internal pressure lower than atmospheric the membrane may be in the form of a liner enclosing a major portion of the material storage space within the container. The attachment of the liner to a flexible or a rigid container can be such as to enable the membrane to follow material in the container as it moves toward an outlet and the differential. fluid pressure acting on the liner will press material toward the outlet whether the pressure at the outlet side of the membrane is reduced or the fluid pressure at the side of the membrane. opposite the outlet is increased. For this type. of operation the liner can be anchored so that the membrane cannot extend over and clog the outlet, or special' provision can be made to regulate the progress of movement of the membrane. toward the outlet, and. further provisions, can be made to prevent the membrane from clogging the outlet. at any time.

More specifically, an elongated storage chamber has two cup-shaped membranes installed respectively in its opposite end portions which, by differential. pressure, can be moved simultaneously toward each other tov shift material between themlintothe space between. such membranes, and whichpressure of the membranes' on the material will have the furtherefiect. ofcompacting and/ or breaking up agglomerated stored material. The membranes are spaced apart sufliciently. far so. that, each membrane can be. inverted completely, that is, turned inside out for the purpose of moving material toward a dis-- charge opening. Use of a smallerv or of a larger discharge pipe can be selected, depending upon whether the material. stored is composed offine particles or larger particles. Inert gas can be supplied between the membranes and the wall ofthe container for the purpose of deterring infestation by insects in such space, and which further will provide an inert. atmosphere which cannot support combustion required for an explosion. The, possibility of an explosion occurringin the stored material, even though it is very fine, is thus virtually eliminated.

A single cup-shaped: membrane could-be utilized: for. the purposes, discussed above. in acontainer which is twice the length of the membrane; if thedischarge opening extends along one half of the container. Where two membranes are used the space between the membranes should be less than the length of either membrane, the container must be at least twice as. longv as the longest membrane so that it can. reverse completely, and the. outlet means is located between the membranes and. arranged so that either membrane, individually, may cover virtually the entire discharge port means when fully extended in its condition inverted from wall-lining condition.

The edge of the membrane can be connected in fluidtight relationship to the wallof the container by anchoring the membrane edge in a groove integral with the wall, and securing the membrane edge in such groove by an anchoring strip.

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal vertical section through a container which may be the body of a railway tank car, and FIGURE 2 is a similar view of a container having a different membrane arrangement. FIGURE 3 is a similar view of a container similar to FIGURE 1 with parts broken away and illustrating membrane movement control mechanism, and FIGURE 4 is a central horizontal section through the container when empty, with parts broken away.

FIGURE, 5 is a longitudinal vertical section through a container and membrane structure, generally of the type shown in FIGURE 1, but having a difierent bottom construction. FIGURE 6 is a transverse section through such container and membrane on line 66 of FIGURE 5, and FIGURE 7 is a central horizontal longitudinal section through the container and membrane when thecontainer is empty, part of the membrane being broken away.

FIGURE 8 is a vertical longitudinal section through a container generally of the type shown in FIGURE 1, but provided with a difierent type of membrane bottom construction, and FIGURE 9 is a transverse vertical section through the container taken on line 9-9 of FIG- URE 8. FIGURE 10 is a central horizontal longitudinal section through the same container when the container is empty, having parts of the membrane broken away.

FIGURE 11 is a longitudinal vertical section through a container and membrane structure generally like that shown in FIGURE 1 incorporating. a type of materialmoving structure in its central portion different from. that shown in FIGURES 8 and 10, and FIGURE 12 is a vertical transverse section therethrough. along line 12-12 of FIGURE 11. FIGURE 13 is a view similar to FIGURE 12 of a modification.

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged vertical transverse section along line 12-12- of FIGURE 11, showing a different construction, and FIGURE 15 is a detail section on line 15-15 of FIGURE 14.

FIGURE 16 is a longitudinal section through a railway tank car including a container generally similar to that shown in FIGURE 1, but having a diiferent type of membrane arrangement, and FIGURE 17 is. a. transverse section through such railway car taken on line 1717 of FIGURE 16, showing thecontainer partially loaded.

FIGURE. 18 is a longitudinal section through a boxcar type of container and FIGURE 19 is a transverse section taken on line 19-19-*of' FIGURE. 18.

FIGURES 20,. 21, 22 and 23 are somewhat diagrammatic side elevations of one end portion of a railway car equipped with a membrane according to the present invention, showing such membrane in various operating positions which it may occupy during a tank unloading operation.

FIGURE 24 is a detail vertical section through a discharge spout of a tank such as shown in FIGURES 1.6 and 17.

FIGURE 25'is a detail elevation of a portion of an alternative, type of tank discharge mechanism.

FIGURE 26 is a detail side elevation of still another. form of tank discharge mechanism such as shown in FIGURE 18., and FIGURE 27 is a plan of. such mechamsrn.

FIGURE 28 is a detail side elevation of a loading port for a tank of the type shown in FIGURES 16' and 17', for example, with parts broken away, and FIGURE 29 is a similar view showing parts in a different position.

FIGURE 30 is a top perspective of a loading port installation, with parts broken away, and FIGURE 31 is a similar view showing parts. in a different position.

FIGURE 32 is a side elevation of a loading port detail illustrating a different arrangement of parts.

FIGURE 33 is aplan of a loading port installation I for a tank such as shown in FIGURE 16', for example.

FIGURE- 34 is a section through a latching element for the loading port cover of FIGURE 33, and FIGURE 35 is a similar view showing parts in a different position. FIGURE 36 is a section through another type of latch structure for the loading port cover of FIGURE 33 and FIGURE 37 is a similar view with parts in a dilTerent position.

FIGURE 38 is a top perspective of liner membrane closure-locking means; FIGURE 39 is a section through such means showing the parts in one operative position; FIGURE 40 is a section through such means on line 4040 of FIGURE 39; FIGURE 41 is a transverse section through such means taken perpendicular to FIG- URE 40 on line 41-41 of FIGURE 39; and FIGURE 42 is a section through one element of such means on line 4242 of FIGURE 41; FIGURE 43 is a section through such means similar to FIGURE 39, but showing parts in difierent positions.

FIGURE 44 is a side elevation of an end portion of a railway tank car similar to that shown in FIGURE 16, having parts broken away and including a special type of inlet port construction, and FIGURE 45 is a similar view with parts shown in a different position. FIGURE 46 is a detail section through the upper portion of the tank showing the special loading port construction in greater detail, with parts broken away, and FIGURE 47 is an enlarged top perspective of a portion of the structure shown in FIGURE 46.

FIGURE 48 is a side elevation of a tank car including a modified membrane installation showing the central portion in section, and FIGURE 49 is a transverse sec tion on line 4949 of FIGURE 48.

FIGURE 50 is a longitudinal vertical section through a railway tank car generally of the type shown in FIG- URE l6 illustrating a different type of outlet construction, and FIGURE 51 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 5151 of FIGURE 50. FIGURE 52 is a horizontal longitudinal section through the railway car of FIGURE 50.

FIGURE 53 is a top perspective of a fragment of anchoring mechanism for securing the edge portion of a membrane to a rigid wall for use in any of the membrane installations shown in the above figures, FIGURE 54 is an exploded top perspective of the anchor mechanism shown in FIGURE 53.

FIGURES 55, 56, 57, 58 and 59 are transverse sections through different alternative types of membrane edge-securing structure.

The various membrane installations in the containers illustrated in the drawings have three principal functions. The first function is that of constituting a vapor barrier and insulation element in a container. The second function is as a dynamic element for compacting or densifying material composed of fine discrete particles to increase the weight of material which can be accommodated in a given container, and for breaking up agglomerated material. The third function of the membrane installation is to facilitate unloading of discrete particle material or sludges or slurries from a container by exerting controlled pressure on the material for moving it while, at the same time, if desired, protecting the container in which the membrane is installed from being subjected to an internal pressure below atmospheric pressure. These principles can be utilized whether the container is a stationary storage container or a transportation container, such as a tank truck or tank trailer, a railway tank car or a marine vessel.

The membrane installations of the present invention are especially concerned with containers for storing or transporting discrete particle material, which term is intended to embrace any material having reasonable flow characteristics including fine powdered material, such as flour or cement; granular material such as sugar, salt or sand; coarse particle material such as whole grain or corn kernels; chunky material such as pellets, pulp chips, briquets and crushed limestone and small objects such as corn cobs, fruit and vegetables, such as oranges and potatoes, and other materials of irregular shape, as long as particles of the mass are or can be made discrete. All of such products are included within the term discrete particle material because all of them have the characteristics of not being liquid, their particles not adhering into a mass and of forming a reasonably steep angle of repose when piled. It should be understood that the specific items mentioned are only intended as examples to illustrate material having the characteristics pertinent to utilization of the present invention.

A principal application for the present invention is in rail cars, which may take the form of either a tank car, shown in FIGURES 16 and 17, or a boxcar, shown in FIGURES l8 and 19. The tanks shown in FIGURES 1 to 15 may either be stationary, or may be carried on a rail car, a truck or a trailer, a ship or an aeroplane. In each instance the membrane 3g in FIGURE 1 should be of relatively strong and tough very flexible sheet material, which preferably is dimensionally stable.

Such material may be a fabric rendered air impermeable and waterproof, such as urethane-coated Dacron fabric, or the membrane can be of nonwoven material such as polyester resin sheet, available under the trade name Mylar. Such membrane materials are to be understood as merely representative. When such a membrane is interposed between discrete particle material in the container or tank and the tank shell there will be only a very small air space around the liner when the container is loaded. Such air can carry only a small amount of moisture. The membrane barrier prevents the ascension of moisture from the material received in the container into contact with the upper portion of the container wall.

Normally, railway tank cars are made of metal and frequently railway boxcars are metal. If flour, for example, is loaded into such cars and the exterior of their containers is subjected to low temperature, warm moist air will rise from the material in the car into contact with the cold container wall so that such air will be cooled below the dew point and the moisture will therefore be precipitated from it onto the interior of the container wall. As sulficient moisture collects it will form a paste with the flour dust on the wall and may also drip off the container walls as condensate to dampen the surface of the flour. This moist condition promotes mold on the surface of the flour, which is undesirable. Such moisture condition will also produce an undesirable effect on other types of material which may be transported or stored in a container. Provision of the membrane barrier deters the occurrence of such condition because the membrane itself, even where it is in contact with the interior of the container wall, is a poor enough conductor of heat so that usually it will not chill air coming in contact with it sutficiently to precipitate the moisture from the air.

Further, the membrane 3g provides an insulation effect tending to stabilize the temperature of the material in the container, or at least tending to prevent the dew point of the moisture in it from being reached until the product itself has had time to absorb such moisture or reabsorb it without condensation actually occurring. Dead air space formed between the membrane and the rigid container wall increases the insulation effect. The contents of the container will tend to maintain a higher temperature than the atmosphere to which the container is subjected, if such atmospheric temperature is below freezing, so as to afford at least some protection against freezing of the container contents. Conversely, conduction of heat from the exterior of the container through the dead air space and/ or the membrane is deterred, so as to decrease damage to the contents of the car which might result from its exterior being subjected to undesirably high temperatures.

In FIGURES 1 to 13, for example, the container 12, and in FIGURES 16 to 19, 44 and 45 and 50 to 52 the container or tank 100, could be used as a stationary inplant storage container, or a land transportation container such as a tank car, a tank truck, a semi-trailer tank, a trailer tank or a boxcar. Because of the elongated charactor of the container it is desirable for it to have a plurality of filler ports 4 spaced along its length. Each tank shown in FIGURES 1 to 13 has aplurality of discharge ports which may correspond in location to the filler ports lengthwise of the tank. Each of the tanks shown in FIGURES 1 to 13 is divided into a plurality of compartments by fixed rigid transverse partitions 13 located substantially midway between adjacent filler ports and discharge ports. While only one such partition is shown in the tanks of FIGURES 1 to 11, additional partitions could be provided if a longer tank were used or if it were desired to provide shorter compartments within the tank. Such partitions may be perforated to afford fluid intercommunication between the compartments.

In each of the various tank compartments a plurality of flexible membrane partitions are provided which conform to the internal shape of'the container so that in one position a membrane section will serve as a linerfor a portion of the tank. In each case at least a portion of the liner must be in roof-lining relationship as opposed to only wall-lining relationship. The membrane can be moved to and held up in such lining-position, however, only by exerting on the. liner a greater fluid pressure on its side away from the container wall than on the wall side. In FIG- UES 1' to 13 the tank is' shown asbeing of cylindrical shape and cup-shaped membrane elements are of substantially circular cross section. They are reversible and must be. able to turn completely inside out. In each instance membrane sections are located at opposite sides of the circumferential band of the tank where the filler port 4 and the discharge port 10- are.

In FIGURE 1 the cylindrical cup-shaped membrane section fitting each tank end has a curved end or bottom, whereas the. ends or bottoms of the membrane sections abutting the fixed partition 13 are planar; Such membrane sections are otherwise of similar shape; The peripheral edges of such membrane sections are suitably secured by fluid-tight joints 14 extending circumferentially of the container adjacent to the filler port 4 and the discharge port 10. in each instance. Each membrane element may then shift its position relative to its edge joint- 14' from a position in which it constitutes. a liner for one portion of the tank into a fully reversed positionwhere the'side of the membrane which was convex when the membrane was, a liner has become concave, and the, side of the membrane which was concave at the time it functioned as a liner has become convex.

As shown in FIGURE 1, connections or openings through the wall of the container 12 are provided in. the wall portions of the container to be engaged by the membrane sections 3g as liners. by connecting a suctionsource to an opening7, therefore, the membrane section 3g for the corresponding portion of the container. can be pressed by air. under higher pressure at the opposite side of the membrane into. substantially contiguous engagement with the container. wall. In order to. supply adequate air under pressure. for this purpose it. may be necessary to open a loading port 4 or a discharge port 10; When a section of the. container is to be filled with discrete particle material bothv of its openings 7 are. connected" to a suction source, or such openings are vented and. pressure fluid supplied inside the tank section, so that both membrane sections. 3g are, moved into tank-lining position, as in the right compartment of the tank shown in FIGURE 1. Material may be-loaded by blowing it into the. storagev chamber. If such a pressure differential is not provided thelimp membrane material will simply hang from itsattach point at the roof and material could easily. be. loaded ontop of folds which would prevent full loading of the container.

With the discharge port 10 closed by a suitable cover and the filler port 4 open the compartment of the tank 12 can then befilled with discrete particle material. Par.-

ticularly if such material is of the powdered or granular type the filling operation can be interrupted at intervals, especially after the compartment is more than half full, and a source of air under greater than atmospheric pressure can be connected to the openings 7 instead of a suction source or sources while the filler port 4 is vented to atmosphere or a suction source. applied to it, or openings 7 may be vented and suction applied at the filler port. The membranes 3g will be pressed away from the container walls by such differential fluid pressure and pressed against the material in the compartment and air will be sucked out from between the particles of the material tov pack and density the material. Such pressure by the. opposite membranes will press the material toward the center of the chamber and move it into contact with the walls of the central terial has been loaded. Such successive packing operations will increase greatly the weight of material which can be received in a container compartment. If only one loading port 7 is provided for each storage chamber it probably will not be possible to fill the: compartment completely because of the elongated character of the compartment, butthe upper surface of the load may assume a position generally as indicated in the right compartment. of the tank shown in FIGURE 1.

Connections 7 through the. container wall provide for inert gas under atmospheric pressure,, or at a pressure higher than atmospheric, to be supplied to the space or spaces between the membrane and the container wallplf combustible dust material is to be stored in the container, the explosion hazard during loading or unloading can be virtually eliminated by filling the space between the membrane and the container wall with inert gas. Since such space is protected from contamination the inert gas expelled or withdrawn 7 can be compressed or stored for reuse.

Use of inert gas between the membrane and the container wall would also provide a blanket over or around the membrane-covered material of an atmosphere which would not support combustion in case the membrane should be ruptured and would tend to extinguish any fire which might be started on the material side of the membrane. The explosion hazard would thus be greatly reduced. Such hazard can also be reduced where the material is of discrete particle type by keeping it covered close- 1y with a membrane to reduce as far as possible the 'air content of the space containing the material.

The explosion hazard of combustible powdered material can also be reduced greatly if a minimum of air is 1 mixed with the material, particularly during unloading. Differential pressure can be maintained on a membrane covering the discrete particle material as it is discharged to hold itclose to the load, as described above. If the material is withdrawn from the container by suction, simply atmospheric air can be provided at the otherside of the membrane; or if the membrane is in a container which can be pressurized, fluid under pressure greater than atmospheric can besupplied to the space between the membrane and the container, which pressure would also be in excess of the pressure at the side of the mem: brane engaged with the material even if this latter pressure is greater than atmospheric pressure. The membrane would, therefore, follow the material and be maintained in engagement with it as material is dischargedfrom the container. If it is desired to eliminate the explosion hazard completely, inert gas can replace air While loading and unloading.

When discrete particle material of edible character is stored or transportedin the container, the inclusion of the membranes enables the material to be protected against infestation by worms or insects or contamination by bacteria. Growth. of insects in the space between a membrane member and a wall of the container can be prevented by filling this space with inert gas as suggested above. or. insecticidal gas,.and such gas can also be used portion of the container if enough ma-.

by dust material, from a connection g to displace air in the material-containing compartment. Such gas could, for example, be nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

For control of infestation by worms or other insects and bacterial growth in the stored material itself, an inert atmosphere could be held in the material-containing compartment at a pressure of one ounce to fifty pounds, depending upon the pressure-resistant character of the container, for a period of at least sixteen hours. The amount of such inert gas, or insecticidal and bactericidal gas, required for this purpose can be minimized if a somewhat greater fluid pressure is applied to the opposite side of the membrane so as to maintain the membrane in close contact with the body of discrete particle material. At the end of this period the inert, insecticidal or bactericidal atmosphere can be removed from the material-containing chamber and replaced by air, but it will still be desirable to maintain the membrane in close contact with the body of material.

When it is desired to unload the container the membrane sections 3g are operable to facilitate and expedite the unloading operation. The action of these membrane sections is illustrated in the left compartment of tank 12, shown in FIGURE 1. While there is no discharge conduit shown connected to the discharge duct in this figure it will be understood that normally such a conduit would be connected to the discharge port. Consequently, a suitable valve arrangement normally would be provided in the discharge port which would be closed while the cover is being removed from the discharge port 10 and the discharge duct is being connected.

When the load is to be discharged from a compartment the valve in the discharge port 10 is opened and usually either suction or compressed air or both is supplied to the discharge conduit, as has been discussed above. Even if a source of suction were connected to the openings 7 to hold the membrane sections 3g in tank wall-lining position, material directly above the discharge port 10 would be discharged through it until the discrete particle material at opposite sides of the discharge port has reached a natural angle of repose. The problem is then to move the body of material of generally rectangular cross section, as shown in the right end of the left compartment in FIGURE 1, into a position to drop through the discharge port 10.

When a tank compartment such as shown at the right of FIGURE 1, or a container, equipped with elements 3g, is to be unloaded, air, preferably under pressure, is supplied to one of the openings 7. Unless suction is applied to the discharge port 10, such air must be under pressure. Even if air pressure is supplied within the membranes to force the stored material out, the higher fluid pressure acting on the side of the membrane section 3g opposite the discharge port will press the membrane in the corresponding end compartment down against the material and then toward the outlet 10. As shown in the left end of the left compartment of FIGURE 1, the pressure hehind the left membrane section will urge it into a reverse curve shape, so as to roll the upper part of the pile of material in the left end of the container compartment toward a position above the discharge port 10. It should be noted particularly that it is not necessary for the material to be lifted by such reverse curve rolling of the membrane section, but such section shifts the upper portion of the body of the material principally laterally. As material continues to be urged toward a position over the discharge port 10 the upper portion of the membrane element is peeled inwardly from the wall of the container, as indicated at the left of FIGURE 1. Although the weight of the material tends to hold the lower portion of the membrane element down while the upper portion of the element continues to bulge progressively farther to the right, special means must be provided additionally to accomplish total discharge because of the tendency of the membrane bottom to roll out over the outlet.

Such fluid pressure differential can continue to be applied beneficially to the membrane until enough of the contents in such end of the compartment has been discharged so that a considerable portion of the membrane will bear against the standing face of the material in the opposite end of the compartment, as shown by line A in FIGURE 1. Air, again preferably under pressure, will then be supplied to the connection 7 of the other compartment end, while reducing the fluid pressure between the container wall and the first membrane section to a value below the pressure within the container. A suction source at a pressure lower than any suction applied to the discharge port 10 can be connected to the first opening 7, or such first opening can be vented if the tank interior is pressurized. Consequently, the first membrane section, at the left of FIGURE 1, will be pressed back again into a container lining position such as shown in the right end of the left compartment in FIGURE 1.

When differential fluid pressure is thus applied to the right membrane section 3g, its upper portion in turn is urged toward the central portion of the left container compartment in FIGURE 1 and moves material to a position over the discharge port 10 until eventually it assumes a position fully to the left of its edgeconnection to the container When all of the material has been moved out of the right end of the left compartment. The right opening 7 is then subjected to a pressure lower than that within the central portion of the container compartment so that the latter pressure will press the right membrane element 3g to the right back again into lining relationship to the tank wall. Air, preferably under pressure, is then again supplied to the opening 7 communicating with the left end of the left compartment in FIGURE 1 so that the left membrane section will again be urged to the right away from its container-lining position in a reverse curve shape as shown in FIGURE 1. By this action the upper portion of the body of material in the left end of the container compartment at the left of partition 13 will be rolled to the right into a position above the discharge port. The left membrane section will bulge progressively farther to the right, beyond the position A, because the right end of the compartment is empty, and be peeled progressively from the left end of the container compartment until this membrane section has moved through position B and has reversed completely or been turned inside out in position C.

While theoretically such second manipulation of the left membrane section in the container formed by the left compartment of the tank 12 in FIGURE 1 will have moved all the material in the left end of the container into the discharge outlet, actually the lower portion of this liner may have rolled in return bent shape across the outlet as indicated at 15 in FIGURE 1, so that some of such material will have been transferred onto the lower portion of the right membrane section 3g. When the left membrane has been reversed completely, therefore, it will be desirable to connect a suction source to the opening 7 communicating with the left end of the left compaitment in FIGURE 1 and vent the container, or pressun'ze the container and vent left opening 7, so as to eflfect movement of the left liner membrane section 3g back into container-lining position. A source of air under low pressure is then connected to the right opening 7, so that the right membrane section will move gently through the reverse curve shape like that shown in FIG- URE 1 into completely reversed position. This further manipulation of the right membrane section may empty completely the left compartment of the tank, but some material may be transferred back onto the left membrane section and can be cleaned out manually.

The right compartment of the tank 12 shown in FIG- URE 1 can be emptied in the same manner as the left compartment. When both compartments have been emptied suction sources can be connected to the openings 7 to return the membrane sections to their container-lining positions. The valve in each discharge port can then be closed and a cover applied to it preparatory to the tank being filled again.

While the membrane sections 3g of FIGURE 1 are shown as having edge portions lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the tank and of such cup-shaped elements, it is not necessary that the membrane edge be located in such a plane. Thus, in FIGURE 2 the circumferential edges of the cup-shaped membrane elements 3h are shown as being disposed in planes inclined relative to the axis of the tank and the cup-shaped membrane elements. Such membrane edge plane is shown as being inclined upward away from the discharge port 10 in the bottom. of the container, but the inclination of such plane to vertical must not exceed about 10. Otherwise, in turning inside out, the membrane will roll forward and upward toward the roof and material will be trapped by the membrane instead of being discharged through the outlet. However, the edge of each membrane section could be disposed in a plane inclined in the opposite direction so that the upper portion of the membrane section in each instance would be located close to a filler port 4, while the lower portion of the membrane edge would be spaced a substantial distance farther from such port and port 10 would be elongated accordingly. The function and operation of the membrane section would be in general the same as described in connection with the membrane section 3g of FIGURE 1.

In some instances it may be found that when air under pressure issupplied to a connection 7 communicating with the space between a wall of the container 12 and a membrane section 3g, a portion of the membrane nearer the discharge port 10 may tend to move away from the container wall lower portion before a portion farther from such port moves away from the lower portion of the container because of the fluid pressure beneath the membrane and the fact that the angle of repose of the material face slopes to this point and therefore the least Weight is applied to the membrane as such point. Thus the lower portion of the membrane may assume a reverse curve shape, as indicated by line A in FIGURE 1, forming a pocket next to the discharge port in which discrete particle material is trapped. As the membrane is moved from position A to position B, its lower portion will tendto roll across the discharge port and obstruct it while such portion carries a quantity of discrete particle material into the opposite end of the compartment. Reversing the fluid pressure on each membrane section alternately will simply result in approximately the same amount of material being again carried back into the compartment end opposite the membrane which is turned inside out.

To deter such rollingof the lower membrane portion across the discharge port, ribs 16 are shown in FIGURE 3 on the container bottom, at least at one side of' the discharge port, forming grooves between them into which the'lower portion of the membrane will sag. Also, parallel longitudinal ribs 17- extend lengthwise of the container and are spaced transversely of it to connect the ends of ribs 16, as shown in FIGURE 4, so the, ribs form a row of pockets. A suction source connection 18 to each pocket produces suction on the membrane exceeding any suction applied to the discharge port. Thus a fluid pressure differential is exerted on the lower portion of the membrane section 3g opposite that on the upper membrane portion which presses it away from the upper portion of the container. The degree of suction applied to connections 18 beginning farther from the discharge port 10 canbe reduced or discontinued progressively so that the membrane can be peeled progressively toward the discharge outlet.

Instead of the elements formed by ribs 16 and 17 in FIGURES 3' and 4 being suction pockets, they can be electromagnetic units magnetizable to attract magnetic elements incorporated in the lower portion of the mem brane section 3g. The magnetic attraction on the membrane magnetic elements will hold the lower portion of the membrane in contact with the container bottom. Such magnetizable elements can be deenergized sequentially beginning with the units farthest from the discharge port to enable the lower portion of the membrane to be peeled toward the discharge port.

FIGURES 5 to 10 show other expedients for insuring that the lower portion of the membrane will be peeled.

progressively from the container bottom, instead 'of rolling toward the discharge port 10 and forming a return bend 15 as shown in line B of FIGURE 1. The lower portion of the membrane, at least at one side of the discharge port, can be stiffened temporarily at will in controllable fashion by providing in it inflatable pockets adjacent to the discharge port. These are connected to a source of fluid, preferably air, under pressure to inflate and thus rigidify the membrane.

In FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 the pockets 19 are elongated circumferentially of the membrane element, as shown best in FIGURES 6 and 7, and are disposed in edge-toedge relationship, as'shown bestin FIGURES 5 and 7. Fluid under pressure is supplied to these pockets through connections 20 and such pockets may be interconnected so that air flows from one pocket into the next pocket to effect simultaneous inflation of all of such pockets, or the pockets may be inflated separately. In any case deflation of the pockets can be effected or controlled sequentially so that the compartments are deflated in succession starting with those farthest from the outlet, as shownat the right of FIGURE 5.

In FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 the pockets 21 in the lower.

the series are in communication with each other so that i all of the pockets are inflated at the same time to provide a rigid inflated section. The pockets are preferably tapered in thickness away from the discharge port 10, as shown in FIGURE 8, and each pocket may be tapered in width from the discharge port. Such tapering facilitates curling of the pocket group beginning at the end farthest from the discharge port when such pockets are partially deflated. Alternatively, these pockets, or the transverse pockets of FIGURES 5, 6 and 7, when loosely filled with beads of metal, glass or plastic, as shown in FIGURE 9, can be rigidified by partial evacuation and their flexibility restored bybleeding air into them again.

It will be noted that the portion of the bottom of the membrane section 3g which is rigidified by inflation of a row of pockets need not be very extensive, its function being simply to prevent the membrane lower portion from starting to roll into a return bend over the discharge outlet 10, instead of being peeled progressively from the container wall. Instead of the inflatable pockets being lengthwise of the membrane section, as

elongated simply shown in FIGURES 8, 9 and 10, or circumferentially of the membrane. section, as shown in FIGURES 5,. 6 and 7, a double layer of inflatable pocket rows can be provided in crossed relationship, being elongated lengthwise of the container and the pockets in an overlying row being elongated circumferentially of the container. Whichever type of rigidifying inflatable pocket area is provided such portion of the membrane element can simply be deflated in a controlled manner progressively toward the discharge port 10 near the end of the material-discharging operation to enable the bottom portion ofthe membrane to be peeled. progressively from the container bottom without rolling into a return band shape.

By use of the various forms of membrane installation described material in a container can be moved into the space between'the joints 14' securing the edges of adjacent membrane sections to a rigid container. Most of the the pockets in one row material thus moved into registry with the discharge port lengthwise of a horizontally elongated container will be discharged readily through such port. Where the container is of cylindrical cross section, however, and the discharge port has only a small extent circumferentially of the container, it would be possible for some material to lodge between the joints 14 and circumferentially adjacent to the discharge port without passing through it.

Flow of material from between the membrane joints 14 through even the small outlet 10 can be insured by installing between such joints rigid arcuate panels 24 of porous material, as shown in FIGURES 8, 9 and 10, through which air can be supplied to loosen particle material for movement over such panels. Such porous material panels 24 preferably are of porous polyethylene. Air can be supplied under pressure to such panels through connections 23 to air distribution ducts 23' which can be located either externally of the container, as shown in FIGURE 9, or within the container.

By using means additional to the cup-shaped membrane elements, such as a displaceable liner as shown in FIGURES 11 and 12, or FIGURE 13, or FIGURES 14 and 15, it is also possible to insure discharge of discrete particle material completely from the portion of the con tainer between the membrane joints 14 without enlarging the discharge port. Each of these expedients includes material-dumping structure located in the same circumterential zone of the cylindrical tank 12 as the discharge port 10, which structure is arranged to bridge the lower arcuate portions of the container at opposite sides of the discharge port for the purpose of changing the effective shape of such portions of the container wall generally to arcuate curves of greatly increased radius or to chords of such arcuate portions of the container. In FIGURES 11 and 12 the additional displaceable lines are bands of interconnected inflatable pockets 25 provided at opposite sides of the discharge port 10. The lower end of each band is secured by a joint 26 to the container wall adjacent to the discharge port and the upper end of the band in each instance is secured to the container wall by a joint 27. When the pockets are deflated the band is of a length to line the container wall between the joints 26 and 27, as shown at the right of FIGURE 12. Inflation of the pockets 25 by fluid under pressure supplied to the connection 28 will cause the side walls of the pockets to bulge so that the row of pockets is shortened sufficiently to increase greatly the radius of curvature of the row of pockets or even to arrange them in a linear chord of the container, as shown at the left of FIGURE 12. Thus, when the pockets have been inflated the inclination of the band will be sufficiently steep despite the grooves between the pockets so that the material cannot remain alongside the discharge port, but will be expelled through the port. Membranes 29 can be flexibly secured between the edges of the band formed by the row of pockets and the container wall to prevent material from lodging behind the inflatable pocket band.

The construction shown in FIGURE 13 includes an upper inflatable pocket 25 having its axis extending lengthwise of the container, like the pockets 25 of FIGURES 11 and 12, but between this pocket and the discharge port 10 are connected a plurality of pockets 25' in side-by-side relationship having their axes extending generally chord- -wise of the container. Such pockets 25' may taper in thickness toward opposite ends from generally their central portion, bulging of the walls being restricted by internal wabs, if desired. When the pockets 25 and the pockets 25' are inflated simultaneously, preferably by air under pressure, as shown at the left of FIGURE 13, inflation of the pockets 25 will shorten the extent of the assembly between the location of attachment to the side wall of the container and the attachment adjacent to discharge port 10. Also, inflation of pockets 25' will move the inflatable assembly toward a chordal position. The

14 curvature of the upper pocket will assist initiation of movement of material lengthwise of the pockets 25.

In FIGURES 14 and 15 the displaceable liner band 30 is similarly arranged in the circumferential zone containing the discharge port 10. This band also is of the inflatable type but instead of being formed as a row of pockets this band includes two surface sheets 31 and 32, as shown in FIGURE 15, which are interconnected by threads 33 of equal length, so that when fluid under pressure is supplied between the sheets 31 and 32 such sheets will move apart to the limit permitted by the lengths of the threads 33 and the strip will become rigid. In this instance, however, the length of the strip will not be altered appreciably, so that as the strip moves from the defllated condition at the left of FIGURE 14 to the inflated condition at the right of that figure, the curved length of the strip in deflated condition wiill be substantially equal to the length of the straight strip in inflated condition. The upper or lower edge of each strip is anchored by a flexible joint 34 to the container wall and the oppo site edge of such strip must be secured to the wall by means capable of moving along the wall away from the anchored edge as the strip is inflated. Membrane panels 35 extending between the inflatable strip 30 and the wall of the container close the space between the strip and the container wall in all positions of the inflatable strip so as to prevent the accumulation of material from the load in the space between the strip and the container wall.

The structures shown in FIGURES 11 to 15 have been illustrated as being arranged to move discrete particle material from the lower quadrants of a cylindrical container toward the center of the container over a short distance lengthwise of the container in each instance, but it will be understood that the same type of structure could be exended to any length along the container for the purpose of moving material toward the central portion of the container. Thus, for example, the discharge port 10 could be elongated lengthwise of the container, to any extent desired, as a slot through which movement of the inflatable chord-a1 elements could effect discharge of material. Alternatively, such elements could .du-m-p material onto conveying means extending lengthwise of the container such ias'a trough containing a screw conveyor or an endless belt or flight conveyor, or a mechanical or fluid vibratory or pulsating surface. Dumping of material into the central portion of the container can be facilitated by pulsating the air which inflates such chordal members. Also, such chordal members could be located behind membr-anes, if desired, which in the forms of device shown in FIGURES 12 and 13 would provide a smooth outer surface.

In FIGURES 16 and 17a railway tank car having somewhat ditferent features is shown. In this instance the tank has a plurality of loading ports 101 located at spaced intervals along its top. The material is unloaded from the tank through discharge hoppers 102, of which there are preferably two, located in the central portion of the tank between the membrane attachment lines 14. It is necessary to provide a discharge opening of adequate size through which to move the discrete particle material quickly. If .a larger opening is desired it is usually not practical simply to enlarge a single discharge opening because the size of the hopper cone cuts too far into the side wall of the tank. On the other hand, if the tank is to be pressurized, it is not feasible simply to elongate the discharge opening lengthwise of the tank to expedite discharge of the material and to assist in conveying it away from the tank, because such a slot would decrease the circumferential strength of the tank too greatly. It is possible, however, to obtain a sufliciently great area of discharge opening by providing two, or even three, circular openings spaced lengthwise of the tank. A vent opening 103 is located in the top of the tank preferably at approximately the center.

In the particular tank shown in FIGURES 16 and 17 six loading portsare shown, twoof which are located between the membrane attachment lines 14, two more of such ports at the top of that portion of the tank which can be lined by one membrane 3h in One end portion of the tank, and two other ports at the top of the other end portion of the tank which can be occupied by another membrane. The purpose ofproviding a larger number of loading ports than illustrated in the tanks of FIGURES 1 to 11, is to expedite loading of the car by enabling material to be fed into more than one or all of such loading ports simultaneously and to enable the material to be distributed more-uniformly along the length of the car as the tank approaches the filled condition and thus utilize fully the interior of the container.

In the type of construction shown in FIGURES 16 and 17 the tank has no central partition and the length of each cup-shapedmembrane 3h is greater in proportion to its diameter than is the'case in the tank sections of FIG- URES'l to 11. Use of the two discharge hoppers 102 dete'rs plugging of' the outlet by the membranes during an unloading operation. Material can be dislodged from the space between the hoppers by a bridge 104 preferably inclined downward" toward the two hoppers. Flow of material from such bridge into each of the hoppers can be expeditedby supplying air under pressure through a connection 105 to the cavity 106 beneath the bridge and perforating the bridge so that air can escape through it to loosen particulate material above the bridge, and/or the bridge can be connected resiliently to the adjacent portions of the tank and provision made for vibrating the bridge to loosen material for flow from it into the hoppers. In some cases it is preferable to supply little or no air to the material because of the hydroscopic nature of the particular product, such as sugar, salt andurea. Such air as maybe used can be refrigerated'to' reduce its moisture' content.

While each of themembranes 311 being of nonmetallic fabric material atfords some insulation between the contents of the tank and the tank wall, which usually is of metal, it may be desirable to'inc'rease the amount'of insulation between the'membraneand'the tank wall, particularly around its upper portion; At" the central portion of the tank between the membrane attachment lines 14- a layer of insulation 106" can be provided extending over approximately the upper quadrant of the tank. It is not necessary for the insulation to extend farther down around the sides than-this,-because warrn moist air, which produces internal condensation, rises from the material in'the tank into the'dead airspace only above the load and in addition the material is in contact with the bottom'and lower portionsof the tank well; thus acting to-prevent condensa'tion.

It is not necessary tohave a complete layer of insulationabove the end portions of the tank capable of being occ'upie'd'by the membranes 311' if provision isrnade for spacingsuch membranes from the metal'tank wall'to provide airspace by pressing the'm'embranes down onto the load during storage". However, during slow loading under very low temperature conditions it may be desirable to provide additional=insulationin'the-form'of' ribs 107 between'the membranes proper and the-tank wall proper to prevent condensation occurring'inside the membranes, particularly if it should be necessary to interrupt such loading operation for asubstantial period of time. These ribs preferably are parallel but may; extend either longitudinally of the tank, asshown in FIGURE 16, and then radially toward its center over the upper portions of the tank end walls, as shownin FIGURES 16 and 17, or such ribs may extend circumferentially of the tank or even in some other direction. Also, such ribs preferably are secured to or integralwith the tank wall but, if desired, they could be mounted on the outer side of the membranes 3h.

Such ribs 107 should be made of insulating material such as rigid or semirigid foam plastic, or the ribs may be of the inflatable type. Any suitable means could be provided in the latter case to effect pneumatic inflation, or even hydraulic inflation, of such ribs. In any event, the liner 3h will be held by such ribs in spaced relationship to the tank wall 100, so as to increase the insulating value of the membrane alone and further deter condensation. If such ribs are mounted on the membrane, ratherthan on the tank wall, it is preferable for them to be of the infiatable type. Inflatable ribs can be deflated when filling of the tank has been almost completed to increase the capacity of the container.

The operation of the membranes 311 is generally the same as described in connection with the earlier figures. When it is desired to load the tank a suction source isconnected to each of the pipes 108, which extends through the shell of the tank 100,. to communicatewith the space between the shell and a membrane 3h. Only a very small suction is required for this purpose, such as one-half a pound per square inch, or even less. At the same time the vent 103 is open to supply air under atmospheric pressure to the interiors of the membranes. Such atmospheric pressure exerted on the membrane interiors will press the tembranes away from their attachment lines 14 into the tank wall-lining. relationship shown in' FIGURE 16. Alternatively, the connections 108 can simply be-vented and a source of air under a small pressure can be connected to the pipe 103 to provide a differential in pressure on upposite sides of the membranes. This latter method of providing a pressure ditferential on opposite sides of the membranes is, however, less desirable during the tank loading operation. In either case the groove between two adjacent ribs 107 would afford a channel for flow of' air between the connection 108 and all'parts of the space between the membrane and the wall lengthwise of the membrane and container, or equivalent flow channel provision should be made.

While the membranes are being held in the wall-lining positions shown in FIGURE 16, particulate material can be' loaded into the space within the membranesthrough one or more of the loading ports 101. When the loading has been completed the covers 109" are closed and secured, but the interior of the tank may continue tobe vented through the vent opening 103, or such ope'nin'g'c'an be closed after suction has been applied to draw'the membrane down into close contact with the stored material, as discussed previously. The material is then thus stored or transported until it is ready to'be discharged fromthe tank.

While FIGURES l6 and 17 show the membranesflh installed in a tank of cylindrical cross section such membranes can be utilized in a tank of' a different shape, such 1 as the tank shown in FIGURES 18*and 19, which i has a cross section of substantially rectangular shape. This tank is shown as serving as the body of a railway boxcar. In this instance the membranes 31' are alsoof substantially rectangular cross section, corresponding in shape to the interior of the tank 100', so that when suction is applied to the connections 108 and the vent 103is open the mem branes will be drawn into lining relationship to'the interior of the tank, as shown in FIGURES l8 and'19.

In the tank 100 of rectangular cross section-ribs 107" are provided which extend across the roof of the tank;

transversely of its length and part way down the side walls. These ribs constitute means for spacing the membrane away from the inner wall of the tank to avoid contiguous contact with it, which would tend to promote condensation, as discussed in connection with the ribs 107 of FIGURES l6 and 17. These ribs also may belof solid material which is preferably of insulating character and at least somewhat resilient, or such ribscan be inflatable. Moreover, these ribs again can be integral with or secured to the inner wall of the container, or can be carried by the membrane. Particularly in the latter instance the ribs-should be of the inflatable type. 

1. UNLOADING MECHANISM FOR A HORIZONTALLY-ELONGATED CONTAINER TO HOLD DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE CUP-SHAPED MEMBRANE ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED IN CONTAINER-LINING RELATIONSHIP WITH AN END WALL AND WITH PORTIONS OF THE TOP, BOTTOM AND SIDE WALLS OF THE CONTAINER AND HAVING AN END WALL IN UPRIGHT POSITION WHEN IN SUCH CONTAINER-LINING RELATIONSHIP AND TOP AND BOTTOM SIDE WALLS EXTENDING FROM SAID MEMBRANE END WALL IN GERNERALLY HORIZONTAL PORITION WHEN IN SUCH CONTAINER-LINING RELATIONSHIP, SAID SIDE WALLS OF SAID MEMBRANE BEING OF AN AXIAL EXTENT LESS THAN ONE-HALF OF THE HORIZONTAL EXTENT OF THE CONTAINER, ATTACHING MEANS SPACED FROM SAID UPRIGHT MEMBRANE END WALL WHEN IN SUCH CONTAINER-LINING RELATIONSHIP AND SECURING THE EDGE PORTIONS OF SAID SIDE WALLS TO THE WALL OF THE CONTAINER SUBSTANTIALLY IN AN UPRIGHT PLANE SPACED FROM SUCH CONTAINER END WALL, AND DISCHARGE MEANS LOCATED IMMEDIATELY AT THE SIDE OF SAID ATTACHING MEANS OPPOSITE SAID MEMBRANE END WALL IN CONTAINER LINING RELATIONSHIP AND INCLUDING AN OUTLET LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CONTAINER FOR REMOVAL OF MATERIAL FROM THE CONTAINER BY INVERSION OF SAID MEMBRANE FROM WALL-LINING RELATIONSHIP INTO A POSITION IN WHICH A PORTION OF THE BOTTOM OF SAID MEMBRANE IS IN OVERLYING REGISTRY WITH SAID DISCHARGE MEANS.
 30. IN THE METHOD OF UNLOADING DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL FROM A CONTAINER THROUGH A BOTTOM DISCHARGE PORT, THE STEPS WHICH COMPRISE PROVIDING A MEMBRANE IN THE CONTAINER HAVING A PORTION OVERLYING AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL IN THE CONTAINER, AND SUBJECTING THE SIDE OF THE MEMBRANE ENGAGED WITH THE DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL TO A SUCTION SOURCE FOR PRODUCING THEREON A PRESSURE LESS THAN THAT ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE MEMBRANE AND THEREBY PROGRESSIVELY PRESSING THE MEMBRANE AGAINST THE DISCRETE PARTICLAE MATERIAL AND MOVING SUCH OVERLYING PORTION OF THE MEMBRANE DOWNWARD TO FOLLOW THE DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL IN ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH AS THE BODY OF SUCH MATERIAL RECEDES DURING DISCHARGE. 